The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was not ready to announce a date for the completion of the review of the case against police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, it said on Thursday.
Acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe was instructed to reconsider the case following the suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.
”We need to emphasise that we are not in a position to fit a date and time … that puts pressure on the panel and we need to give them enough time to go meticulously through and conclude this thing,” said spokesperson Tlali Tlali.
This was five weeks after the appointment of the panel — who were initially given a month in which to conclude their review.
The NPA said, at the time, that the panel would be given an extension if required.
Tlali said the NPA was aware of the interest surrounding the matter, but appealed for patience.
”We want to allow them space to finalise their processes,” he said.
He was responding to media reports indicating that the bulk of the work had been done by the review panel.
He described the reports as a ”fishing expedition”.
The panel — appointed to review the criminal probe against Selebi — is made up of Frank Dutton, advocate Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Peter Goss and advocate Shamila Batohi.
The formation of the panel was preceded by President Thabo Mbeki’s suspension of Pikoli, citing a breakdown in the work relationship between him and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla.
This came after Pikoli obtained an arrest warrant for Selebi for alleged criminal activities. — Sapa